December 1st

December 1, 2011

Before a business moves into a new facility and creates jobs, its building must be inspected.

The inspector â€” using rules and codes handed down by the state â€” can give that facility an OK or require changes that can delay an opening, thus costing the business more money.

While the code is the code, inspectors, developers and real estate brokers agree there is room for interpretation â€” a small amount of wiggle space that can either make development easier or create costly delays.

December 1, 2011

The North Carolina board of education is telling public school administrators to plan on adding five more classroom days next year, but the state isn't setting the expanded school year in stone just yet.

State school board Chairman Bill Harrison said Thursday he hopes to meet with state lawmakers before they return to work in February to describe problems local school districts face from a new law increasing the current 180-day school year to 185 days.

School districts complain they'll have to pay for five extra days of school bus fuel and other costs despite state budget cuts.

December 1, 2011

Christmas activities highlight events this week in Catawba County.
Conover will light its tree downtown, Hickory will march its annual parade, an ensemble will sing Christmas tunes in Hickory and Newton senior adults will dance to a variety of music.
A chili and pottery fundraiser, bridge-building contest and several community information sessions also dot the schedule.
Read on for more details and pick up copies of The Observer News Enterprise throughout the week at county newsstands for the latest on events, breaking news, daily comics, opinions and more.

December 1, 2011

An elderly couple escaped their Catawba County home moments before it was destroyed by fire Wednesday. The O-N-E has complete details in the Thursday print edition and online at www.observernewsonline.com.